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You might be surprised to learn that there are over 3,000 windmills in Kansas! These massive machines are responsible for generating electricity and powering homes and businesses across the state.
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Introduction
It’s estimated that there are over 6,000 windmills in Kansas. Most of these windmills are located in the western part of the state, where the wind is strongest. The majority of Kansas windmills are used for irrigation, but some are used to generate electricity.
The History of Windmills in Kansas
The history of windmills in Kansas is a long and colorful one. The first known windmill in the state was built in 1854 by a Mr. Samual Reader, near the town of Elmdale. It was a small wooden structure, with blades that were only about four feet in diameter.
The first commercial windmill in Kansas was built in 1876 by the Kansas Wind Power Company, near the town of manipulative. This windmill was much larger than the one built by Mr. Reader, with blades that were nearly 20 feet in diameter. The Kansas Wind Power Company went on to build several more windmills in the state, before going out of business in the early 1880s.
In the early 1900s, there was a renewed interest in wind power, and several companies began building large numbers of windmills across the Midwest. Many of these windmills were built in Kansas, which became known as the “Windmill State.” By 1930, there were an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 windmills operating in Kansas.
The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s brought an end to the boom inwindmill construction. However, many of the existing windmills continued to operate, andKansas remained one of the leading states in terms of number of operatingwindmills.
Today, there are still a large number of windmills operating in Kansas. In additionto providing power for farms and homes, many of these windmills are now usedfor recreation, such as powering grain elevators or water pumps at rural swimmingholes.
The Number of Windmills in Kansas Today
As of 2018, there were 3,764 active wind turbines in Kansas with a nameplate capacity of 5,484 MW. The state ranks 4th in the country in both installed capacity and number of turbines. However, the state’s total share of electricity generated by wind has declined in recent years as other states have added more turbines. In 2017, wind generated 10.6% of Kansas’s net electricity production, down from 12.9% in 2016.
The Future of Windmills in Kansas
As the world looks for cleaner sources of energy, wind power has become an increasingly popular option. In the United States, Kansas is one of the leading states for wind energy production. But how many windmills are currently in operation in Kansas?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think. The number of windmills in Kansas varies depending on the source you consult. The most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) puts the number of operating wind turbines in Kansas at 3,854. However, other sources, such as the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), put the number of operating turbines at 4,001.
It’s worth noting that these two organizations use slightly different criteria to count turbines. The EIA only counts turbines that are connected to the electric grid and that are capable of generating electricity. The AWEA, on the other hand, counts all turbines regardless of whether they are connected to the grid or not.
The discrepancy between these two counts is likely due to the fact that many turbines are built but not yet operational. It can take months or even years for a turbine to go from construction to being fully operational. So, while the EIA’s count may be more accurate in terms of actual electricity generation, the AWEA’s count is a better indication of future potential generation fromKansas’swindmills.
Looking forward, it’s safe to say that Kansas will continue to be a leading state for wind energy production in the United States. According to data from EIA, there are currently 2,233 MW of wind capacity under construction inKansas—the second most among all states. This new capacity is expected to come online in 2019 and 2020 and will help solidify Kansas’s position as a top producer of wind energy in America.
